Subtly floral, with a fine frame of acidity driving this to the mouthwatering finish of smoky mineral and dried fruit. Uniquely only available as a vintage champagne produced in exceptional years from just two grape varieties, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, Dom Pérignon is an iconic wine with an unrivalled heritage. Each vintage is a creation, singular and unique, that expresses both the character of the year, and is a tribute to Pinot Noir. A seductive offering of roasted fig, apricot and candied orange, this intensely fruity champagne quickly opens up to deliver intoxicating notes of cocoa and dark spices, developing into a sweet, crisp and succulent tone with soft smoky accents. In 2009, the year began with a lengthy stretch of unfavourable conditions in the vineyards – winter was harsh followed by a warm and rainy spring.

The palate is finely creamy and full-bodied with layers of spicy red fruit, very fine toast with nougat, hazelnut and patisserie.The wine is named after the legendary Benedictine monk, Father Pierre Pérignon, who in 1668 arrived at the Abbey of Hautvillers, north of Épernay and began experiments that would eventually lead to the creation and bottling of sparkling wine as we know it today. The initial sensations are tactile, full-bodied and silky as they unfold like a caress, gradually becoming bolder. The combination of fresh, strawberry, brioche, apples, almonds and orange peel, with zesty acidity, and effervescence was a big hit in my glass. Ingredients like sea Urchins, pork belly, kale or chilli pepper will reveal the lines of the wine: its acidity and tannic structure, hidden behind its fruit. Very grippy and long finish and overall a very seductive and imposing champagne with all parts in place.

Layers of cool, insistent minerality balance the fruit beautifully on the crystalline, vivid finish. Supremely understated, yet there is so much complexity underneath the pretty, flowery veneer: cranberries, grapefruit, and a delicate note of raspberry. Intense nose offering roasted nuts, nougat, pain d’épices, rose petal and seductive fruit like wild raspberry and peach. v=1596114162","options":["size"],"media":[{"alt":null,"id":6698801954867,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":1.A strong similarity to the blanc version here, and again, I’d probably wait for the P2 or P3 versions of this wine as extended lees aging should help manage the excesses of the vintage. Based on Grand Cru villages plus one premier cru villages of Hautvillers, a wine of tension, power and long-ageing endurance and has been the vision of talented Chef de Cave, Vincent Chaperon, for over two and a half decades.